Reinforced terra-cotta arch.



No. 877,545. PATENTED JAN. 28, 1908. P. H. BEVIBR.

REINFORCED TERRA GOTTA ARCH.

PPLIOATION FILED JAN. 5 1904. A 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

IN VE N 70/? Halli 07f Beyz'er W/TNESSE V ATTOHNE 8 THE NORRIS PETERS cu, WASHINGTON, o. c.

PHILIP H. BEVIER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

REINFORCED TERRA-GOTTA ARCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 28, 1908.

Application filed January 5,1904:- Serial No. 187.795.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PHILIP H. BEVIER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of New York, borough of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Reinforced Terra-Gotta Arch, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to improvements in reinforced terra-cotta arches employed in the construction of buildings, and the object that I seek to accomplish is the production of an improved bond or union between the tiles comprising the arch, whereby the strength and durability of the structure is increased According to this invention I employ an open-work or latticed tension member characterized, according to one embodiment of the invention, by the presence of parallel cables united by crossing strands. This tension member is laid transversely between the adjacent tiles forming the arch, and it is embedded in the mortar joining the tiles so as to produce a composite metal and plastic bond which is advantageous for many reasons. A tension member of the kind mentioned secures a mechanical grip to the mortar, as well as the adhesion of the cement to the wire. By embedding the open-work member in the mortar, the compression members are kept from deflecting under pressure, so that it becomes a true truss and acts as a beam in itself as well as a tension member in the arch. The tension member occupies less horizontal space between adjacent courses of tiles than if all the wires were twisted into a cable, and permits the use of narrow vertical mortar joints. Because of the open-work pattern ofthe tension member, soft mortar readily flows around all parts thereof, thoroughly embedding the member and forming a continuous mortar isting machinery, and in any desired length, so that the member can be conveniently shipped on reels, from which the member can be unrolled and cut into proper lengths by ordinary tools. When embedded in the mortar between tiles, a large area of metal in the tension member is exposed to the mortar,

and the bond between the cement and the latticed member cannot be readily broken by sudden jars or vibration in the arch. Furthermore, the ordinary metal strip member, in case of fire, becomes heated from edge to edge, but by using the open-work member, the upper strand or cable is not affected by heat, while the lower cable may be affected to a slight degree.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the course of the subjoined description, and the actual scope thereof will be defined by the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a terra-cotta arch embodying the features of my invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional elevation taken in the direction of the joints through a plurality of endwise disposed tiles; Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section in a direction at right angles to Fig. 2 Fig. 4 is a detail plan view on an enlarged scale of a fragment of one embodiment of the tension member employed by me in the construction of the arch; Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, of another embodiment of the tension member; and Fig. 6 is a partial longitudinal sec tional elevation a Wide arch having a plurality of tension members incorporated therewith as contemplated by this invention.

A, A designate parallel metallic beams, and B, C, denote courses of terra-cotta tiles which are laid between the beams in the ordinary way adopted in the erection of buildings, although it is evident that the ends of the arch may rest on walls of brick or masonry. As shown by Fig. 1, the beams rest on saddles a, which are provided on the pillars D, but these beams may be upheld in any way known to those skilled in the art. The tiles in each course B, C, have endwise abuttingengagement, and they are placed laterally so as to be joint through the truss which unites the l united by the mortar joints E, but for the terra-cotta blocks on either side. A wire 1 purpose of strengthening the tiles forming tension member can be cheaply made by eX- the arch between the parallel beams A, A, it

In the present invention I contemplate the employment of an open-work or lattice-like tension member, which may be made of wire substantially in the form represented by Figs. 2 and 4, or it may be made of a length of metal in substantially the shape represented by Fig. 5; although for various reasons I prefer to employ the wire tension member of Fig. L. As shown by this figure of the drawings, the tension member F consists of approximately parallel cables 7, f, and the transverse strands f Thewire tension member may be manufactured rapidly and economically by existing machinery, and as shown by the drawings the transverse strands f of the respective cables are disposed in crossing relation, thereby pro viding openings of large area within the tension member and between the strands and cables thereof. I would have it understood, however, that I do not restrict my invention to the employment of a wire tension member having the particular configuration or pattern shown by the drawings, because I am aware that any equivalent form of tension member made of wire and having different patterns, may be employed as a substitute for the particular tension member shown by such figure of the drawings; the essential object that I have in view being the employment of an openwork or lattice-like metallic member which is adapted to permit the passage of the mortar or cement employed as a bond between the tiles forming the courses of the arch.

' In Fig. 5 of the drawings, a metallic band of open-work or lattice-like construction is represented as an available means for use as a tension member in the arch built up of terracotta tiles. This tension member F consists of substantially parallel side portions f and transverse portions f the whole being made or stamped from a single length of metal of suitable thickness. The described construction of the stamped or cut metal tension member provides the interstices or openings for the reception and passage of the'mortar or cement that is employed as a bond between the tiles. v

In using my invention, a courseof tiles to produce the arch is laid between the beams A, A in the ordinary way, or between parallel walls, and according to one way of practicing the invention, a tension member such as F or F is laid next to the tiles of one course at the lower part of the arch, substantially as shown by Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive. This tension member ranges from one beam or wall to the other, and extends the full width of the arch, the end portions of the tension member having overlapping relation to the Walls or to the lower flanges of the beams, as shown by Fig. 2. After the tension member shall have been adjusted into position, the operator proceeds to apply the cement or mortar which is adapted to form the bond between the courses of tiles, and this plastic composition or substance fills the openings and interstices of the wire tension member F, whereby the wires of the tension member are wholly and thoroughly embedded in the mortar or cement joints. The tension member lies at the lower part of the arch as in Figs. 2 and 3, and the cables f, f of said member are opposite two longitudinal grooves Z), which are provided in the opposing faces of the tiles B or C. It is evident that the tension members F may be applied to the courses of tilesin other ways than that herein described.

The Wire tension member possesses many advantages from a practical standpoint. Thewire can be cheaply made by existing machinery, and it is conveniently shipped on reels.' l/Vhen the wire is 'unrolled from the reel the springof thewire causes it to straighten or flatten itself, the rigidity of the tension member being equal to that of a piece of band iron of equal section. This feature will be appreciated by workmen who have been required. to use ordinary twisted wire in any form of arch construction. The member can be cut to proper lengths to suit the work in hand, by ordinary shears, thus allowing the wire member to fit varying spans between the beams. By making .the member in parallel cables and transverse connecting strands, said member is adapted to occupy less horizontal space than if the wires were twisted into a single cable, thereby permitting the use of narrow vertical mortar joints. Be cause of its peculiar construction and by the exposure of a large amount of surface to the mortar, the bond between the cement and the wire cannot readily be broken by sudden jars or vibrations in the arch, as is the case where any form of smooth bar is used. The open-work construction of the tension member allows soft mortar to readily flow around all the wires, thoroughly embedding them and producing a continuous mortar joint through the truss which connects the terra cotta blocks on either side. hen flat iron bands are used it is very difficult to keep the band exactly in the center of the joint, and it is impossible in setting the tiles to place the mortar between the bands and the tiles, particularl y where one side of the band is in contact with the tiles, thus securing only onehalf of the efficiency of the metal construction. The improvement of my invention overcomes this difficulty to a great extent,

and it secures a perfect mechanical grip to the mortar, as well as the adhesion of the cement to the wire. When the tension member is embedded, the compression members of the truss are kept from deflecting under pressure, whereby the tension member becomes a true truss, and it acts as a beam in itself. It is well known that Portland cement is the best known preservative of steel, and for this reason the wire will last indefinitely to its full efficiency, which is not the case when light sections or bands of steel are used in cinder concrete, plaster of paris, or similar compositions.

I have found that wide arches varying from eight to twelve feet or more in width can be substantially and materially strengthened by the employment of a plurality of tension members constructed as contemplated by this invention, and. in Fig. 6 of the drawings I have illustrated a portion of a twelve-foot span forming an arch between adjacent beams or Walls, only one of which is shown by said figure of the drawings. The tiles B are laid. in courses between walls or beams, one of which is indicated at A and a plurality of tension members F F F is placed between adjacent courses of tiles. The tension member F extends in a substantially horizontal line from one beam to the other, Whereas the other tension members F, F have their end portions carried upwardly at different intervals along the course of tiles B, as shown. The com act construction of the tension members al ows a number of them to be brought into compact relation side by side between the courses of tiles, and these members have their end portions, as well as the side-by-side portions, embedded in the plastic composition forming tlje mortar or cement bond between adjacent ti es.

In the construction of wide arches, it is found that in case they give way the end portions have a tendency to shear adjacent to the supports afforded by the walls or beams, but in my construction this is overcome by the inclined ends, of the tension members extending across those portions of the arch which are liable to break should the arch give way, thus making the tension members serve as reinforcements to the end and middle portions of'the arch.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a fireproof arch, a plurality of rows of tiles, the individual tiles of each row forming compression members, binding material between the said rows of tiles, and a metallic foraminous truss embedded in said binding material and confined between the contiguous faces of adjacent rows of tiles, each truss consisting of a plurality of cables spaced apart, the said cables having connecting members whereby openings are provided transversely of the length of the truss, the said binding material extending through said openings, thereby locking the truss to the binding material and also to the row of tiles on either side thereof.

2. In a fireproof arch, a plurality of rows of tiles, the individual tiles of each row forming compression members, binding material between said rows of tiles, and metallic foraminous trusses each embedded in said binding material and confined between the contiguous faces of adjacent rows of tiles, each truss consisting of a plurality of longitudinal members and of transverse members connecting said longitudinal members, said longitudinal and transverse members providing openings transversely of the length of said truss, the said binding material extending through said openings, thereby locking the truss to the binding material and also to the row of tiles on eitherside thereof.

3, In a fireproof arch, a plurality of rows of tiles, the individual tiles of each row forming compression members, binding material between said rows of tiles, and metallic trusses each provided with transverse openings, each truss being embedded in the binding material and said binding material ex tending through the openings of each truss for locking the truss to the binding material and also locking the truss to the row of tiles on either side thereof, said truss being located substantially below the neutral axis of the arch.

4. In a fireproof arch, a plurality of rows of tiles, the individual tiles of each row forming compression members, binding material between said rows of tiles, and a plurality of disconnected foraminous trusses embedded in said binding material and confined between the contiguous faces of adjacent rows of tiles, the end portions of said foraminous trusses being separated from each other and embedded at different points lengthwise of the arch, said binding material extending through the openings of said trusses and looking the trusses to the said binding material and to the row of tiles on either side thereof.

5. In a fireproof arch, a plurality of rows of tiles, the individual tiles of each row forming compression members, binding material between said rows of tiles, and a plurality of independent foraminous trusses embedded in the binding material and. confined between the contiguous faces of adjacent rows of tiles, said trusses being arranged side by side and lying below the neutral axis of the arch, the end portions of the trusses being separated from one another and embedded at different points.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

PHILIP H. BEVIER.

Witnesses HENRY STnIoBn, MORTIMER L. TILFORD. 

